that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse paints a powerful picture: the dawn doesn't just arrive, it "seizes" the very "skirts" of the earth, shaking out the wicked as if they were dust from a cloth. It reveals how light, even the light of day, acts as a moral agent, exposing and driving out those who thrive in darkness.
that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?
English Standard Version (ESV)
God is in the midst of a dramatic questioning of Job, asking if Job has ever commanded the dawn to spread across the entire earth. This light is depicted as powerfully seizing the edges of the world, its sudden appearance designed to expose and dislodge evildoers who thrive in the darkness. The verses immediately before and after describe the dawn's ability to reveal creation, underscoring this idea of light as a force against hidden wickedness.
Imagine the very edges of the earth being suddenly illuminated. This verse paints a picture of dawn not just appearing, but actively seizing the world.
Dawn's Powerful Arrival
The verse uses vibrant imagery to describe the sudden and widespread arrival of dawn. It doesn't just creep in; it "takes hold of the skirts" or "wings" of the earth. This isn't a gentle sunrise; it's a powerful, encompassing event that instantly spreads across the entire horizon, from one end to the other.
This isn't just about light physically spreading. It's about God's sovereign power revealing His creation and His order.
The dawn isn't just a natural phenomenon; it has a powerful effect on the wicked. What does this reveal about light, darkness, and morality?
The Wicked Flee the Light
The verse links the coming of dawn directly to the wicked being "shaken out of it." This is a powerful metaphor. Just as a person might shake a cloth to get rid of dust or pests, the light of dawn shakes the earth to expose and displace those who operate in darkness.
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Understand the original words
rasha · Hebrew Noun
In a theological context, the "wicked" are those who live in rebellion against God’s moral law, often acting in secrecy and darkness, opposed to the righteous order God establishes.
This passage directly follows the description of morning light in Job 38, describing how the wicked hide from the light as if it were darkness and fear the dawn, mirroring the sentiment in Job 38:13.
Psalm 19:1-4This Psalm speaks of the heavens declaring God's glory and the sun's 'tent' reaching to the ends of the earth, echoing the imagery of light spreading across the globe as described in Job 38:13.
John 3:19-20Jesus speaks about people loving darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil, and how light exposes these deeds, which is a spiritual parallel to the wicked being 'shaken out' by the morning light.
Jeremiah 21:12This verse is a command to execute judgment in the morning, linking the morning light to the discovery and punishment of wrongdoing, similar to how the light in Job 38 exposes and 'shakes out' the wicked.
clarkeJob 38:13: "That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?"
That the wicked might be shaken out of it? - The meaning appears to be this: as soon as the light begins to dawn upon the earth, thieves, assassins, murderers, and adulterers, who all hate and shun the light, fly like ferocious beasts to their several dens and hiding places; for such do not dare to come to the light, lest their works be manifest, which are not wrought in God. To this verse…
pulpitJob 38:13: "That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?"
Verse 13. - That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? The idea seems to he that the dawn, suddenly appearing, seizes hold of all the ends of the earth "at one rush" (Canon Cook), and lights up the whole terrestrial region. The wicked, lovers of darkness, are taken by surprise, and receive a shock from which they recover with difficulty (co…
This verse paints a powerful picture: the dawn doesn't just arrive, it "seizes" the very "skirts" of the earth, shaking out the wicked as if they were dust from a cloth. It reveals how light, even the light of day, acts as a moral agent, exposing and driving out those who thrive in darkness.
God is in the midst of a dramatic questioning of Job, asking if Job has ever commanded the dawn to spread across the entire earth. This light is depicted as powerfully seizing the edges of the world, its sudden appearance designed to expose and dislodge evildoers who thrive in the darkness. The verses immediately before and after describe the dawn's ability to reveal creation, underscoring this idea of light as a force against hidden wickedness.
God is in the midst of a dramatic questioning of Job, asking if Job has ever commanded the dawn to spread across the entire earth. This light is depicted as powerfully seizing the edges of the world, its sudden appearance designed to expose and dislodge evildoers who thrive in the darkness. The verses immediately before and after describe the dawn's ability to reveal creation, underscoring this idea of light as a force against hidden wickedness.
"that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?" — This verse paints a powerful picture: the dawn doesn't just arrive, it "seizes" the very "skirts" of the earth, shaking out the wicked as if they were dust from a cloth. It reveals how light, even th…
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Last reviewed October 2026